Best Practices Workshop

Mirroring the Methods of the Master

Investing in Disciples Equipping Disciple Makers

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BUILDING AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

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The outcome of our Discipleship Model is to create High Impact Christians with a Biblical worldview

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Your Partner for Spiritual Growth

LearnGetting Connected and

Build Biblical Knowledge

LeadInvest in the

Spiritual Growth of Others

LiveApply Biblical Knowledge to

Everyday Life Situations

More InfoAdditional Information aboutOur Approach to Discipleship

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

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Inquiring Connecting Engaging Transforming Multiplying

5 Keys of Discipleship

Serving Others

Event Participation (NACF, VBS, Men’s Cookout, Ladies Tea, etc.)

Media Inquiries & Interactions

Initial Worship Attendance

Serving at Mt. Pisgah

Participation in Local Outreach or Missions

MP Committee Participation

Stephen Ministry

Local Outreach or Missions Responsibilities

MP Committee Leadership

Leadership of Christ-centered Ministries and Missions

MP Council Leadership

Intentional Stewardship

Financial Giving

Approaching Tithing

Tithing At or Above Tithing

Small Group Accountability

Bible Study Participation

Bible Study Fellowships and/or Small Group Participation

Covenant Group Participation

Bible Study / Small Group Leadership

Covenant Group Leadership

Personal Relationship

w/Jesus

Prayer Regular

Worship Attendance

Baptism Church

Membership

Intercessory Prayer Statement of Faith Discipleship

Events (Emmaus, Confirmation, etc.)

Regular and Intentional Personal Worship

Regular and Intentional Personal Worship

Reproducing Disciples of

Christ

Missional Discipleship

Mentoring Others Developing

Discipleship Leaders

DISCIPLING BEHAVIORS (draft)METRICS

Broaden mission outreach to include anyone who serves in a given week local, domestic, abroad

Would need to add an internal category of weekly giving units (not total collected)

Small Group Participation

Number of Small Groups

Worship Attendance

Professions of Faith

Baptism

Nothing is on VC that is up to our standards on this. A new category would be needed to track this one.

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THE GREAT COMMISSION

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

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DISCIPLE DEFINED

“Jesus said to them, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Follow Me – at the “head” level• Acceptance of Jesus’ authority and truth• To know Him and follow Him

And I will make you – our “hearts”• Process of Jesus transforming our hearts to be like His• Primarily a “spiritual” response to the Holy Spirit

Fishers of men – our “hands”

• A disciple of Jesus is saved for a purpose• Action of being committed to the mission of Christ

from Disciple Shift by Jim Putnam and Bobby Harrington

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WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP ?

Christian Discipleship is a concentrated process that occurs when a more mature believer prayerfully enters into a committed relationship with a group of faithful and teachable believers for the purpose of building Godly character, imparting true knowledge, and developing ministry skills under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit, so that they will follow Christ without reservation and do what He tells them to do.

by John Musselman

Founder & President, The Jackson Institute

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DISCIPLESHIP (page 1)

The word discipleship

• Ship when used as a suffix can be used in six different ways.

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DISCIPLESHIP (page 2)

First – signifies a state, condition, or quality such as in the word “friendship.”

• Relationship both with Jesus and fellow disciples

Second – refers to an office, dignity, profession • Disciple-Makers having the dignity of the office or profession of making disciples

Third – an art or skill – “horsemanship”• Discipleship is an art and a skill.

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DISCIPLESHIP (page 3)

Fourth – Exhibiting or embodying a quality or state• Ultimate goal is for an incarnation of the

qualities of the Master

Fifth – one entitled to a rank – “lordship”• Every believer is entitled to the distinction of a

disciple.

Sixth – a body of persons participating in a specific activity • Participation in a corporate activity

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Summary:

Discipleship involves disciples and disciple-makers in a relationship of corporative activity which requires an art or skill to yield an incarnation of the qualities of the King of Kings in the lives of those so committed.

DISCIPLESHIP (page 4)

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God always initiates the covenant

• Adam – Genesis 2:17 “The Tree”

• Noah – Genesis 9:13 “Flood and Rainbow”

• Abraham – Genesis 17:4 “Circumcision & the Descendants of

Isaac”

PATHOLOGY OF GOD’S COVENANT(page 1)

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• Moses – Deuteronomy 9:9 “Tablets of Covenant”

• David – II Samuel 23:5 “Bloodline of David”

• Joshua – Joshua 23:16 “Fate of God’s People”

• Jesus – Hebrews 9:15 “Remedy for Sin”

(Jesus as mediator of the New Covenant)

PATHOLOGY OF GOD’S COVENANT (page 2)

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From Adam to the New Covenant – each one is dependent on the previous one.

This requires living in Biblical community.

“Given the chance, the culture will always

bring us down.” by Steve Wood, Lead Pastor, Mount Pisgah UMC

PATHOLOGY OF GOD’S COVENANT (page 3)

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4 Important Dynamics:

1. “Glory of God” Revealed in Man

2. “The Word” is Living, Eternal, Transforming

3. The work of “The Holy Spirit” must be cultivated.

4. Necessity of “Accountability”

“Without these, the church atrophies!!!!” by Steve Wood, Lead Pastor, Mount Pisgah UMC

PATHOLOGY OF GOD’S COVENANT (page 4)

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Covenant Group vs. Small Group – Distinguishing Characteristics

• Application of Scripture

• Intentionality

• Multiplication of Disciples

COVENANT GROUPS

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Vital Signs of a Person’s “Covenant Relationship

with God”• Willingness for Accountability• Personal Relationship with Jesus• Sacrificial Living• Spiritual Leader of Household• Purifying Love• Stewardship & Tithing

by Steve Wood, Lead Pastor, Mount Pisgah UMC

COVENANT GROUPS

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What is Life to Life Discipleship?

What is Spiritual Maturity?

What is the Discipleship Process?

What is the One Year Commitment?

Your Expectations and Reservations

- 8 Categories of the Covenant (initialed)

COVENANT TOPICS

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Step 1 Prayer list of potential candidates is accumulated

Step 2 Covenant provided to candidates to be reviewed

with spouses

Step 3 Discipleship Leader to review the Covenant

and answer questions

Step 4 Signed Covenant is due each year at end of

Week 2

FORMING YOUR GROUP

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Come away with Me for a while. The world, with its nonstop demands, can be put on hold. Most people put Me on hold, rationalizing that someday they will find time to focus on Me. But the longer people push Me into the background of their lives, the harder is it for them to find Me.

JESUS CALLING (page 1)

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You live among people who glorify busyness; they have made time a tyrant that controls their lives. Even those who know Me as Savior tend to march to the tempo of the world. They have bought into the illusion that more is always better: more meetings, more programs, more activity.

JESUS CALLING (page 2)

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I have called you to follow Me on a solitary path, making time alone with Me your highest priority and deepest Joy. It is a pathway largely unappreciated and often despised. However, you have chosen the better thing, which will never be taken away from you. Moreover, as you walk close to Me, I can bless others through you.

Song of Songs 2:13, Luke 10:42

from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

JESUS CALLING ( page 3)

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Faithful – Loyal, Steadfast

Trustworthy in the fulfillment of promises or obligations

Available – Ready, Prepared

Capable of being utilized and trained

Intentional – Purposeful, Deliberate

Disciplined to follow a plan

Teachable – Acquiring knowledge or skill, trainable

Ready and willing to learn

Hungry – Desire, Longing

Passion to go deeper in Spiritual Walk

THE CALLING OF A DISCIPLEDisciples Need To Know What They are Saying “Yes” to:

F. A. I. T. H.

Disciples Need To Know What They are Saying “Yes” to:

F. A. I. T. H.

I

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Name & Relationship:Spiritual Assessment:Current Needs:Why I’m Concerned:What I’m Praying For:What I’ve Done So Far:What I Plan To Do:

MISSIONAL GUIDE

Who is God Putting into My Life?

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MISSION ACTIVITY LOG

d Date: Activities / Progress:

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SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION

II Timothy 2:2

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SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION

* Each one eventually takes the title of the one above.* Only reason I’m doing this is so you will do the same!!

The Power of Spiritual MultiplicationII Timothy 2:2

Paul

Timothy

Faithful Men

Others

Maker of Disciples

Disciple Maker

Discipler

Disciple

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CATCH THE VISION

Keith Phillips’ chart compares the numeric difference between one person a day coming to Christ and one person a year being discipled to maturity.

Year Evangelist Discipler1 365 22 730 43 1,095 84 1,460 165 1,825 326 2,190 647 2,555 1288 2,920 2569 3,285 51210 3,650 1,,02411 4,015 2,04812 4,380 4,09613 4,745 8,19214 5,110 16,38415 5,475 32,76816 5,840 65,536

Keith Phillips, The Making of a Disciple

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Accountability to God *

Having our character, motives, words, and behavior (i.e., our lives) weighed and measured by Christ in the light of His standards as preserved in His righteous Word.

ACCOUNTABILITY

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Accountability to Another Person *

Openly and willingly submitting our character, motives, words, and behavior (i.e., our lives) to be weighed and measured by trusted friends in the light of God’s righteous Word for the purpose of preparing us for the final Day of Reckoning when we will give an account of our lives to Christ.

by John MusselmanThe Jackson Institute

ACCOUNTABILITY

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One Appointment

• “So then each one of us shall give account

of himself to God” (Romans 14:12)

ACCOUNTABILITY

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Principle 1• Giving An Accounting to God is Mandatory For All

(Romans 14:10, Ecclesiastes 3:17)

Principle 2• All Secrets Will Be Exposed (Psalms 11:4, 139:1-6)

Every Careless Word (Matthew 12:36)

Things Hidden in the Darkness, Motives

(I Corinthians 4:5, Ecclesiastes 12:14)

ACCOUNTABILITY

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Principle 3• The Quantity and Quality of Our Work Will Be Measured

- Steward (Luke 12:42, I Corinthians 4:1, Matthew 25:19)

- Quantity of their work (Matthew 25:14)

- Quality of the fruit (John 15:1)

Principle 4• Christ Will Judge Us Righteously and Fairly

(Ezra 9:15, Romans 2:2)

ACCOUNTABILITY

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Principle 5

• Our Eternal Rewards Will Be Based

Upon His Judgments

(I Corinthians 3:14, Matthew 16:27)

ACCOUNTABILITY

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Why Be Accountable to Another Person?

Prays, encourages, checks up

Lifts you up, sees you restored

Intrinsic value, committed to one another

Unconditionally accepts you, taste of God’s grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love

ACCOUNTABILITY

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Principles Governing Our Accountability to Another

• Voluntary• Boundaries• Character development• Performance standards• Evaluation time – when, how

ACCOUNTABILITY

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HANDOUT – 21 QUESTIONS THAT MEMBERS OF JOHN WESLEY’S HOLY

CLUB ASKED THEMSELVES EACH DAY

21 QUESTIONS – JOHN WESLEY

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“IRON SHARPENIING” ENCOUNTER(page 1)

Proverbs 27:17, Hebrews 10:24, Proverbs 27:5-6

Whatever form the questions take,

Accountability is the Key!!

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“IRON SHARPENING” ENCOUNTER(page 2)

• Personal Worship?

• Biblical needs of Spouse?

• How is your Thought Life?

• Steward of Time, Talent, Resources, Relationships, Truth?

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“IRON SHARPENING” ENCOUNTER(page 3)

• Responded by Sharing Your Faith?

• Work as though you are working for The Lord?

• Spiritual Battlefields? Spiritual “Achilles Heel”?

• Have you been Honest?

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JESUS’ MODEL OF IMPARTATION

He did it(Modeling)

He did it while they watched(Association)

They did it while He watched(Delegation)

He sent them out, then debriefed(Reproduction)

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Commitment to Daily PERSONAL WORSHIP (page 1)

How do you have a relationship with Jesus?

Biblical justification: Mark 1:35 Daniel 9:1-19

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Psalm 55

Joshua 1:8 Psalm 119

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Commitment to Daily PERSONAL WORSHIP (page 2)

“God’s relations will not be made by pop-calls” by E. M. Bounds

“If you want to have a devotional, you’ll find a way.If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

by Howard Hendricks

“What are the consequences of not teaching personal

Worship?by Dr. John Musselman

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Commitment to Daily PERSONAL WORSHIP (page 3)

Transitions of Personal Worship:

Duty Pupil Partner Sonship

“The one priority is time together with the eternal Father to receive His love and transformation. The bottom line is withdrawing and being fully present with Jesus.”

by Pastor Steve Wood

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Commitment to Daily PERSONAL WORSHIP (page 4)

The glue of discipleship is deploying six spiritual disciplines on a daily basis through Personal Worship:

Journaling Confession Scripture Reading Scripture Application Engaging the Holy Spirit Thoughtful Targeted Prayer

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

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60 SECOND TESTIMONY

Time

1st “The Old Me” 25%

2nd “Surrendering to Jesus as Savior” 35%

3rd “The New Me” 40%

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FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS

1. God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.

2. Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life.

3. Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through Him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life.

4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives.

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WHO’S ON THE THRONE ?

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CHRIST ON THE THRONE

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TARGETED PRAYER

• Truth Applied

• Situation in Life

• Person on Missional Prayer List

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TARGETED PRAYER

• The purpose of narrowing down the prayer topics is to create thoughtful requests from the Lens of a Disciple

• Additional requests can be emailed out to the participants mid-week

• Missional Prayer is defined as “Who is God putting in my life that I am to invest in?”

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THE LORD’S PRAYER

7 Targets To God

• Praise• His Kingdom• His Will

To Human Needs• Daily Provision• Forgiveness• Temptation

Intercessory

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REGIMEN OF PRIVATE PRAYER by George Buttrick (page 1)

“No binding rules but ‘hints’ – Not formal or formless”• The casual mind kills it

1. Silent self-preparation• Orderly quietness and a mind focused on God

2. Thanksgiving• Call to mind the joys of the journey

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REGIMEN OF PRIVATE PRAYER by George Buttrick (page 2)

3. Confession• Be specific to work the surgery to cleanse the soul• Accept God’s pardon• Set your hooks in the facts• Don’t be too morbid or too indifferent

4. Intercession• “I humbly beseech you…..”• Ponder and bear on my heart their burdens• Chart of intercession for each day

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REGIMEN OF PRIVATE PRAYER by George Buttrick (page 3)

5. Petition• “Lift my earthly needs before eternal eyes”• Crisis cry and friendship talk• “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done”

6. MeditationFollowing each step, contemplate God’s goodness• Confession Adore pardoning love and listen for guidance• Intercession Try to see the whole world’s needs• Petition Meditate on God’s will

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EVERY HOME HAS 7 PRAYER NEEDS

1. “Hallowed be thy Name” – 21 names for God

2. “Thy Kingdom come” – Spiritual rebirth of faith

3. “God’s will be done” – Active obedience

4. “Give us our daily bread” – God’s provision – Let Him worry for us

5. “Forgive us, as we forgive” – Grace of forgiveness – Reconciliation with God

6. “Lead us not into temptation” – Turn off all bad ideas & thoughts in our mind

7. “Deliver us from the evil one” – From demonic influences

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PRAYER FOR PASTORS

1. Know God’s Will

2. Do God’s Will

3. Productivity

4. Relationship with God

5. Power in Their Lives

6. Right Attitude

7. Giving, Healing, and God’s Power = Focus

I. Personal Needs

II. Family Needs

III. Spiritual Needs

IV. Congregational Needs

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21 NAMES OF GODAdonai

El

El Elohe Yisrael

El Elyon

Elohim

El Olam

El Roi

El Shaddai

Immanuel

Jehovah

Jehovah Jireh

Jehovah-Mekaddishkem

Jehovah-Nissi

Jehovah-Rapha

Jehovah-Rohi

Jehovah-Sabaoth

Jehovah-Shalom

Jehovah-Shammah

Jehovah-Tsidkenu

YAH, or JAH

YHWH

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BIBLICAL GUIDE TO DEFENDING THE FAITH

Responses to the 12common questions?

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T.E.A.M.S. APPROACH

Truth 10%

Equipping

Accountability 75%

Missional

Supplication 15%

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T.E.A.M.S. APPROACH

Truth® What God has revealed for His people

to know, understand and obey.

Equipping® Massage God’s Truth until it becomes

understandable and usable.

Accountability® Ask the hard questions to promote Godly

living and living fully for Christ.

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T.E.A.M.S. APPROACH

Missional Engage the lost and impart the Gospel

through word and deed.

Supplication Support the above in prayer

Targeted Prayer Truth applied Situation in life Person God put in my life

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T.E.A.M.S. APPROACH

Missional Living

• Ezekiel 34:1-12 “For thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I

Myself will search for My sheep and seek

them out.” (verse 11)

• Luke 15:1-7 “Rejoice with Me, for I have found My

sheep which was lost!” (verse 6b)

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FORMULA FOR CHRISTIAN MATURITY

Christ+ His Word

+ Disciplined Obedience

+ Effective & Capable Discipler

= The ultimate goal of “Christ-likeness.” by Dr. Charles Lake

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LIFE TO LIFE IS AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

• The Real You

• Meeting Real Needs

• For the Right Reasons

• In the Right Way

“When the world sees God’s people step up and

love those who are unlike them, and especially

those who are unlovely, it takes notice.”

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LIFE TO LIFE IS AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

• The Real You Authenticity = Sincere Love

Purity = Hate what is Evil & Cling to Good

• Meets Real Needs Devotion in Brotherly Love

Humility is giving preference to one another

• For the Right Reasons Motive = Fervent in Spirit

Method = Diligence & Enthusiasm

• In the Right Way Upward Focus = Hope & Persevering

Outward Focus = Pursuing Needs

by Chip Ingram

from Living on the Edge

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LIFE TO LIFE IS AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

Relational Connectedness Requires:

Take off our masks and be pure

Be devoted to one another and honor

one another above ourselves

Serve God with Passion and Excellence

Carry one another’s burdens in the midst

of difficulty

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LIFE TO LIFE IS AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

Dangers:

• Collective Focus turns Inward vs. Outward (e.g. “Us 4 and No More”)

• Need to practice hospitality and pursue strangers

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LIFE TO LIFE IS AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

Life to Life discipleship is the process of transferring spiritual life from one person (a Discipling Leader) to another, in the context of a small group of five to eight people (a Discipleship Group).

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LIFE TO LIFE IS AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

Jesus’ Methods*Selection

• Willing to learn• Concentrate on a few

Consecration

• Required obedience• Absolute submission

Association

• To know is to be with• Foundation of follow-up

Impartation

• Life of giving• Love is the only way

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Jesus’ Methods*

LIFE TO LIFE IS AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

Demonstration• Versus explanation• Transparent & authentic

Supervision• Continuous review &

application• Growth in knowledge &

grace

Delegation• Briefing instructions• Reaffirming follow-up

Reproduction• The acid test of ministry• God’s method

* from The Master Plan of Evangelism by Dr. Robert E. Coleman

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P.L.A.C.E.

P.L.A.C.E. – Online Assessment Tool

P – Personality Discovery

L – Learning Spiritual Gifts

A – Abilities Awareness

C – Connecting Passion with Ministry

E – Experiences

Website: http://www.placeministries.org/

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WIRED

Wired That Way • Personality Profile

Paperback book

by Marita & Florence Littauer

Revell Publisher, 2006

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KOLBE WISDOM

KOLBE CORP. ASSESSMENT

Website:

http://www.kolbe.com/why-kolbe/kolbe-wisdom/

TM

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RIGHT PATH

RIGHT PATH RESOURCES

Website: http://www.rightpath.com/site/

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THE BIRKMAN METHOD

by Rob Ketterer

Website:

http://www.visionworksconsulting.com/about/

THE BIRKMAN METHOD

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SUMMER DEVELOPMENT

Disciple’s Summer Development Ideas

• Thought is for each person to be accountable for some area of personal development over the summer.

• 1st meeting in the fall, each disciple presents a one page paper on their project.

• Other ideas: All read same book All read different books Attend a conference

• Main thought is that there is some accountability deliverable to the group for a summer project.

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

Continuing Education for Leaders

Biblical Principles of Discipleship – Allan Coppedge The Master Plan of Evangelism – Robert Coleman Growing True Disciples – George Barna Personal Disciple Making – Christopher B. Adsit The Cost of Discipleship – Dietrich Bonhoeffer Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands – Paul Tripp Classic Discipleship – John Musselman